CONSTRUCTIVISTS STATEMENT OF CULTURE

The FIRST RULE of The Constructivists is: Don’t be an asshole.
(If you are an asshole, this probably isn’t the right space for you.)

The SECOND RULE of The Constructivists is: If you happen to be an asshole on an off-day (because we are all human), apologize with kindness for your assholish behavior.

This document serves as an introduction and guiding light to the culture of the rehearsal and performance environment for Artists’ time with The Constructivists. We hope it will help you decide if you would like to work with us, and help you understand why processes move the way they do when you are with us. Please don’t ever hesitate to ask us questions. We fully believe transparency leads to greater understanding, and greater understanding leads to greater success.

MISSION

  • The Constructivists are committed to creating accessible, viscerally-driven live theatre, exposing and exploring the complexity of human nature and the perils it creates. This is an effort to challenge, enlighten, educate, and entertain a diverse mature audience.

  • Passionate theatre is the necessary catalyst for change and a public good.

DARK ART CATHARSIS

  • The idea that it’s a positive process to work with “dark” and “dark comedy” programming for patrons and artists to work through negative feelings and emotions in the supportive environment of theatre

VALUES

  • The health and mental health of our artists is not only imperative, it’s an absolute

  • We are all human. We all make mistakes. What matters is that you learn from them, and apologize when necessary

  • We strive for a dignified, transparent, vulnerable, equitable, fair, inclusive, and friendly work environment

  • Words to know: Community, safety, vulnerability, collaboration, patience, mindfulness, understanding, kindness, space, transparency, flexibility, curiosity, trust, bold, passionate, inclusive, consent

  • Ideas to consider: optimism through cynicism, community-oriented environments, social and political progressivism through theatre (“Art is not a mirror held to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.”)

BELIEFS

  • We believe in the power of Diversity, not only in where you come from, but the level of experience you bring to a process.

  • We believe Black Lives matter.

  • We believe in the power of Inclusion, that all abilities have something to bring to the table.

  • We believe in humbling ourselves with the knowledge that we gather today on the traditional homelands of the Indigenous nations who have lived on and cared for this land for generations. Milwaukee is located on the land of the Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, and Menominee peoples, along with the other tribal nations of Wisconsin, who are the rightful stewards of this land. We honor their enduring relationship with this place and recognize their history of displacement, resilience, and survival. We commit to uplifting their voices, learning from their traditions, and supporting their sovereignty. As we occupy and create on this land, we reflect on our responsibilities to care for it and to address the injustices that continue to impact Indigenous communities today.

  • We believe we are part of the movement and solution to dismantle the current paradigm of a patriarchal, corporate infected ecosystem of non-profit theatre.


PLANS

  • Living wage for artists when they are working for us in the next three-five years 

  • Continue to incorporate BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Trans, Non-binary, Disabled, and other artists beyond the white male dominated hold on this genre to build a company of artists as diverse as possible who love dark art

  • Continue to build a more dignified, transparent, vulnerable, equitable, fair, and friendly work environment

  • Continue to use utilities like the Milwaukee Theatre Standards from the Milwaukee Theatre Alliance to assist as a barometer for dignity and change

  • Pay staff in 1-3 years. Many grants are reliant on having paid staff and we’ve already been turned down because of it

AUDITIONS

  • CONTENT WARNING: All Constructivists productions contain potentially boundary challenging material. We strongly suggest you read the plays we produce before auditioning. You can email casting@theconstructivists.org if you have issues obtaining a script.

  • The Constructivists have adopted the Milwaukee Theatre Standards, which seek to foster an environment of communication, safety, respect, and accountability, and to protect the health, safety, and well-being of institutions and its participants.By utilizing the MTS, we are able to make the following audition commitments to you:

    • You will not be asked to audition more than 3 times for this production without compensation.

    • You will not be kept at any audition for more than 3 hours, or past 10pm.

    • You will not be asked to disrobe or perform any intimate contact or violence as a part of your audition.

    • Auditions will be Wheelchair/Mobility Device accessible, or clearly stated if they are not, and we will work with you to make them accessible via video or other capacity

REHEARSALS

  • Rehearsals generally work on a Monday - Thursday evening, Saturday daytime schedule. Finally schedules will be according to what works best for the team, but the goal of The Constructivists is to utilize 20 hours/week for 5 or 6 weeks. Generally things will look like:

    • Arrive

    • Transition time (see below) (whether this is individual work or a led activity will depend on the particular artists of any given production)

    • Check in

    • Get to work

    • Breaks every hour to hour 15

    • Check out

    • Go home

  • We employ the use of the Concern Resolution Path, Non-Equity Deputy, and Button paths to deal with stressful situations. Versions of these can be found in the Milwaukee Theatre Standards, but they will be discussed at the first rehearsal, along with our Anti-Harassment policy, and Health and Safety Policies. The general outline of the process is that we first ask you to talk with the person who pissed you off. If that is not accessible, then your stage manager. If that too is not accessible, then your director, and beyond that a community liaison.

  • We strive to provide a rehearsal space where artists can feel present and open. And we are acutely aware that most of our artists have day work they are coming from each rehearsal day.  As such, to reach a present and open work environment, we allow up to 30 minutes of “Transition Time” from the work day to rehearsal work at the beginning of each rehearsal. This time is meant for decompression from your day work in a mindful and compassionate manner. For example:

    • Water, food, and restroom needs

    • Boundary check ins

    • Warm ups

    • Community and artist discussion needs

    • Other actions decided as needs for by the group for a given process

    • We also strive to be mindful of your time as a performer or creative team member. This time is solely for the group to decide what is necessary for them to be engaged and focused. Please discuss any concerns about time management with your stage manager.

  • We strive to provide a space that is accessible to all types of artists and their individual processes. 

  • There will be an Intimacy Designer on the Creative Team when required, to help you feel supported and empowered.

  • There will be a Fight Choreographer on the Creative Team when required, also to help you feel supported and empowered.

  • We plan for 7-10 minute breaks hourly

PRODUCTION

  • There will be no 10 of 12s.

  • Tech week is usually Monday through Friday, 5-11pm. You are only asked to get to the space as soon as possible, meaning, if you can get there at 5pm, great. We get to the actors as soon as possible. You may be asked to stand for light focus, or try on costumes. Monday is usually an actor walk thru. Tuesday, a cue to cue. The goal is to run the full show as soon as possible. We will have a better idea of the full schedule the week before tech. And you will be released as soon as you are no longer needed.

  • Costumes are supplied by The Constructivists, though we do kindly ask for donations when the production is of modern time. You are NOT required to assist with donations.

  • Actors are kindly asked to assist with load in/out when needed.

  • Understudies are utilized when financially accessible.

ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENTS

  • We strive to utilize production spaces that are Wheelchair/Mobility Device accessible. Sadly, many Milwaukee spaces have a long way to go. If you have access needs, please let us know ahead of the process and we will do our best to accommodate you. 

  • We strive to utilize performance locations accessible via public transportation within the city of Milwaukee.

  • We will always work to make accessibility accommodations available, but we hope you can let us know ahead of the rehearsal and performance process what those needs are.

  • We are working with the Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL) to accommodate all Parents and Caregivers Artists who work with us. LEARN MORE

The Constructivists are a 501(c)3 Nonprofit entity. Help us grow by DONATING NOW.

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